WATER HYACINTH BRINGS LAKE SHORE BUSINESSES TO A HALT

The water hyacinth invasion across the shores of Lake Victoria is adversely affecting businesses that widely often depend on the presence of activities at the lake.

 Closure of major hotels together with the lack of fishing and beach activities is attributable to the invasion of this weed that is said to be the worst compared to that one which occurred in the early 1990’s.

“We are experiencing a smaller number of customers compares to a couple of months ago due to water hyacinth and these customers are the usual ones that are working in the nearby places,” said Consolata Mbom who owns one of the major hotels at the shore in Kisumu.

According to her, the situation has forced her lay off some of her employees. This was done in a bid to ensure that as a businesswoman he is making a meager profit from the business.

Most people whose businesses have been halted by this menace are of the same opinion that preventive measures need to be always put to stop the spread of water hyacinth rather than waiting to take action once damage has been caused.

“Those responsible need to learn from the past that prevention is cheaper than doing away with this weed once the invasion has taken place,” Says Ezekiel Omenya.

Water hyacinth has covered most parts of the lake making the water invisible for the last couple of months.